Suit alleges Leigh teacher forced student to have abortion in 2003
SAN JOSE >> A woman whose sexual assault allegations against a longtime Leigh High School teacher led to his recent arrest claims in a new lawsuit the teacher forced her to terminate a pregnancy that resulted from their illegal sexual relationship.
The plaintiff, referred to in legal filings as Jane Doe, contends that after she became pregnant in 2003 as a 15-year-old freshman, Shawn Thomas insisted on her getting an abortion, according to the lawsuit filed on April 17 against Thomas and the Campbell Union High School District.
Doe further alleges that in one instance during the illicit relationship, Thomas' wife, then dean at the school, nearly walked in on the two having sex in a classroom. When Doe later alerted Sarah Thomas to her pregnancy, the lawsuit claims the dean responded by blaming her and that neither she nor anyone else at the school ever reported suspicions of her husband's sexual abuse to authorities.
“It's egregious, beyond egregious, it's almost unbelievable,” plaintiff attorney Lauren Cerri said in an interview. “There is no gray area. A coach is having sex with a student and not only does his wife turn a blind eye, but there is classic victim blaming.”
Doe came forward and revealed the abuse allegations to San Jose police in March, prompting an investigation that resulted in Thomas being arrested March 22. He's been charged with one count of rape, one count of sexual penetration of a minor and five counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a minor.
Thomas, 56, of Los Gatos was initially booked into the Elmwood men's jail but has been released. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on April 18.
The school district, which said previously it put Thomas on administrative leave after his arrest and barred him from contacting students, said in a statement that it “remains prepared to continue to cooperate with law enforcement throughout their investigation and provide access to all necessary information.”
“Although the current leadership team was not at the district in 2003, they take the allegations seriously and are deeply concerned,” the statement said. “Our foremost commitment remains the safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff. We will continue working with law enforcement to protect our community and support any victims in this case.”
At the time of his arrest, Thomas, a Leigh alum, was a physical education and social science teacher and also worked as an assistant football and track and field coach at Los Gatos High School.
According to the lawsuit, Thomas was known to be “overly touchy” and make inappropriate and sexually charged comments to female students, and groomed Doe by giving her “special attention” during the 2002-2003 school year.
Doe claims Thomas' behavior included asking her to wear a skirt to school and driving her around, and that their relationship escalated to sexual encounters at his home, a friend's home, and in his classroom. Police now say multiple assaults occurred between 2002 and 2003.
The lawsuit claims that Thomas continued to have sex with Doe on school grounds, including in a storage room housed within the boy's locker room, because no actions were taken to stop him, even after his wife knew about Doe terminating her pregnancy.
The absence of any intervention by school leaders is an example of “why (sexual abuse) survivors don't come forward,” Cerri said. “This enabled him to continue abusing. There are very likely more victims.”
Anyone with information for investigators about the case can contact Detective Camarillo at 4576@ sanjoseca.gov or 408-273-2959. Tips can be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.